DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14563#0343
304
EGYPT, PAST AND PRESENT.
it says, " We Lave prescribed to eacli people their sacred
rights. Let them observe them, and not wrangle with thee
concerning this matter. If they dispute with thee, say,
God knoweth your actions ; God will judge between you."
Moslem prejudices against Christians have been greatly
mitigated within a few years, by the increase of travel in
Egypt, and by the foreign policy of Mohammed Ali. Eng-
lish residents of Cairo, who were once hooted at as infidels,
now transact business upon the most public streets, with
Moslems as their servants. Native Christians often hold
business places in government institutions superior to Mus-
sulmen; and Mr. Wilkinson says of Old Cairo, that, " Be-
sides the Coptic community, is a Greek convent, within the
precincts of this ancient fortress, and numerous Moslems
have opened shops in its narrow streets, living in perfect
harmony with their religious adversaries."
Mohammed Ali not only formed his army and his fleet
upon the European model, and erected arsenals, hospitals,
military and naval establishments, and manufactories under
European superintendence, but he also established, at Cairo,
schools for free education in general knowledge, and in
medical and other sciences. To these, the people and the
Moslem teachers made great opposition. " They objected
to their children being taught what they had not themselves
learned, or what was not connected with their religion, and
Frank languages and sciences appeared to be an abomination
to the Egyptians.'' Mothers would even cut off the fore-
finger of a child's right hand, to prevent its being taught to
write ! But under the influence of experience, and of pecu-
niary rewards, these prejudices are dying out, and the
schools are prospering.
In confirmation of what I have said of the willingness of
Mussulmen, in the smaller villages, to listen to missionary
teaching, I would mention one or two incidents reported by
EGYPT, PAST AND PRESENT.
it says, " We Lave prescribed to eacli people their sacred
rights. Let them observe them, and not wrangle with thee
concerning this matter. If they dispute with thee, say,
God knoweth your actions ; God will judge between you."
Moslem prejudices against Christians have been greatly
mitigated within a few years, by the increase of travel in
Egypt, and by the foreign policy of Mohammed Ali. Eng-
lish residents of Cairo, who were once hooted at as infidels,
now transact business upon the most public streets, with
Moslems as their servants. Native Christians often hold
business places in government institutions superior to Mus-
sulmen; and Mr. Wilkinson says of Old Cairo, that, " Be-
sides the Coptic community, is a Greek convent, within the
precincts of this ancient fortress, and numerous Moslems
have opened shops in its narrow streets, living in perfect
harmony with their religious adversaries."
Mohammed Ali not only formed his army and his fleet
upon the European model, and erected arsenals, hospitals,
military and naval establishments, and manufactories under
European superintendence, but he also established, at Cairo,
schools for free education in general knowledge, and in
medical and other sciences. To these, the people and the
Moslem teachers made great opposition. " They objected
to their children being taught what they had not themselves
learned, or what was not connected with their religion, and
Frank languages and sciences appeared to be an abomination
to the Egyptians.'' Mothers would even cut off the fore-
finger of a child's right hand, to prevent its being taught to
write ! But under the influence of experience, and of pecu-
niary rewards, these prejudices are dying out, and the
schools are prospering.
In confirmation of what I have said of the willingness of
Mussulmen, in the smaller villages, to listen to missionary
teaching, I would mention one or two incidents reported by